FOX 216 – The Leicester City fanzine – in the shops now…

The 216th edition of The FOX – is in the shops now and will be on sale before the Manchester City game…

It features: An exclusive interview with classy ’90s defender Pontus Kåmark; Opening Shots – Brawl of the Season competition; Fully Programmed from the Brian Little Era; Fox Diary – some you win – some you lose; the latest news from the Foxes Trust; Foxed in the Head – on chewy, own goals and those ski hats; Rewind – John Farrington gets into the Kop for nowt;  The History of Leicester City in 100 Objects; VAR – is it bad or really bad?; John Hutchinson, on the season when City broke the British transfer record; your letters and Bentley’s Roof, and Fanatical Frank’s winter break…

The most fun you can have for £2.50…

Pontus Kåmark Interview extract…

FOX: You’d had a very successful six years at IFK Gothenburg before you opted to join City who were then in the second tier. How did you come to that decision?

PK: There were a couple of reasons. When I was moving here, one of the board members at Gothenburg said: “How can you sign for Leicester?!”. At that time we were playing Champions League quarter-finals, we beat Manchester United 3-1, we were playing against Barcelona and Bayern Munich. I had five Champions medals, and I’d played in a World Cup semi-final for Sweden and I felt like I had done it all. I wanted to move on, but that wasn’t so easy in the pre-Bosman Ruling days. Back then the club could say, ‘Sorry, we don’t want to sell you’ and they didn’t. Sporting Lisbon tried to sign me and Gothenburg said no. When Leicester came in the picture I thought there was no way it would go through, but then they put a proper offer on the table. Gothenburg told me ‘You are not worth this much!’. It doesn’t sound like big money now, it was about 900,000 euros, but it was three times what Sporting Lisbon had offered. 300,000 euros was about right for a defender from Sweden at that time, so they were happy to let me go. We agreed on personal terms and then I thought, maybe I should go. England was an attractive proposition, they have shown English football on the TV in Sweden for nearly as long as they have in England. A couple of months ago we had a celebration for fifty years of English football on the TV. The Swedes are very close to English football.
Before I moved to Gothenburg Brian Clough had wanted to sign me for Nottingham Forest, so there was that thought that I should come over here. In 1995 I took the decision, and then four months later the Bosman Ruling changed the football world.
I am so pleased that I made that decision. That first season at Leicester we were promoted to the Premier League and those seasons were a great experience for me, we won a cup and there was a great team spirit in the side. And I still come back here and have some great friends in Leicester. It was the right club, if I’d gone somewhere like Arsenal I would be forgotten and no one would want to interview me today!

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Ten man Leicester hold Wolves at bay

Wolverhampton Wanderers 0:0 Leicester City

City and Wolves played out their second 0-0 draw this season with the home side again falling victim to a VAR call…

Brendan Rodgers named an unchanged line-up for this Friday night trip to Molineux, with Wilfred Ndidi still struggling with his knee problem.
City dominated possession for the opening ten minutes, with Wolves restricted to one break upfield which saw Schmeichel claim the ball ahead of Dendoncker.
The first chance came in the 9th minute when Tielemans tried his luck with a 25 yarder that took a deflection, but Patricio gloved it away.
Two minutes later Wolves created their first chance. Neto sped in from the right but  Söyüncü got a foot in. Neto reclaimed the loose ball and set up Jota for a fierce low shot that Schmeichel did well to block with his left foot.
City broke upfield from the resulting corner but Tielemans opted to take the ball forward rather than pass and was crowded out.
Wolves then went close from a corner when Dendoncke sent a header narrowly wide.
At the other end Söyüncü got his head to a Maddison free-kick, but directed it straight into Patricio’s arms.
Wolves had a free-kick 30 yards out after a foul on Jimenez, but Neves sent it straight into the wall. Then Doherty delivered a cross which Jonny headed off target.
While City still had more possession, Wolves were creating the better chances.
Play was held up in the 36th minute when Maddison accidentally caught Doherty on the head with his studs. It took three minutes to mop up the blood but Doherty was fit to continue.
Schmeichel’s blushes were spared in the 41st minute when his wayward ball up-field went straight to Neto, but his hurried shot was pulled well wide.
Wolves went close again when Jiménez made a hash of a header with the goal at his mercy.
A minute before the break it looked as though Wolves had gone ahead. From a short corner on the right, a deep Neto cross was headed back across goal by Doherty, and Boly out-jumped Tielemans sending a downward header into the net from close in.
The celebrations were eventually halted by the VAR screen and it was judged that there was a marginal offside as Wolves worked the short corner.
Loud boos rang around Molineux and Mike Dean had to deal with some heated enquiries as the teams headed for the tunnel all-square.

City began the second half well, and with Doherty’s head cut leaking more blood he had to have further treatment while Pérez almost wriggled through but had his shot blocked.
A minute later Ricardo surged into the area down the right and beat two defenders before sending a shot narrowly wide of the near post.
In the 51st minute Choudhury was booked for a ball-winning challenge on Jiménez on the edge of the area, Saïss sending the free-kick straight into the wall of blue shirts.
City were on top at this point, though another long range Tielemans effort didn’t trouble Patricio, and penalty appeals were turned away when Maddison was bundled over by  Saïss in the area.
Wolves brought Traoré on the 64th minute and this turned the tide of the game with him constantly probing down the right.
Brendan Rodgers replaced Pérez with Albrighton and then brought Praet on for Tielemans but was soon forced into another reshuffle. In the 76th minute Choudhury slipped over in a midfield challenge with Dendoncker and then tripped the Wolves man as he set off upfield. It was enough to earn a second yellow and City had to play the remaining 15 minutes with ten men.
Wolves pressed forward in search of a winner, but Jiménez sent one header over and then flashed another one narrowly wide from a corner.
With Morgan on for Barnes in time-added-on City were hanging on. Traore cut inside Chiwell and fired in a shot that was blocked at the near post by Schmeichel.
With seconds remaining Söyüncü threw himself in front of a Jiménez shot and a point was earned.

Brendan Rodgers summed up: “We probably could’ve been quicker around the attack – the build-up play was good – but away from home you expect to come under pressure and it ends up being a very good point and keeping the gap to 14 points between us.”

Wolves: Rui Patrício, Boly, Coady, Saïss, Doherty, Dendoncker, Neves (João Moutinho 81), Castro Otto, Neto (Traoré 64), Jota (Castelo Podence 78), Jiménez.
Substitutes: Gibbs-White, Ruddy, Kilman, Buur.
Leicester: Schmeichel, Ricardo, Evans, Söyüncü, Chilwell, Choudhury, Pérez (Albrighton 68), Tielemans (Praet 75), Maddison, Barnes (Morgan 90), Vardy.
Substitutes: Justin, Gray, Ward, Iheanacho.

Referee: Mike Dean. Attendance: 31,682.

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Rüdiger double denies Leicester a win against Chelsea

Leicester City 2:2 Chelsea

City and Chelsea shared the points in an entertaining encounter at the King Power Stadium on Saturday…

Brendan Rodgers made two changes to his side for this lunchtime kick off, with Vardy in for Iheanacho, and Ndidi – who failed a late fitness test – replaced by Choudhury.
An intriguing game unfolded between the third and fourth placed teams, both struggling to maintain the form of the first half of the season, but hoping to hold on to their Champions League places.
After a fast-paced and scrappy opening Chelsea created the first chance in the 5th minute when Azpilicueta played a low ball across the area, but Hudson-Odoi produced an air-shot from a good position.
With Chelsea pressing foward James whipped in a cross from the right, but Evans stuck out a leg with City happy to concede a corner.
Hudson-Odoi then set up Mount for a chance from 15 yards, but his spooned it well over, his blushes spared by the linesman’s flag.
With City still unable to create anything going forward, Azpilicueta cut a ball back for Abraham but it got under his feet and another chance was gone.
James then whipped another ball across the face of goal, but Abraham couldn’t get there in time to produce a finishing touch.
There were loud penalty appeals in the 20th minute when Abraham went down under a challenge from Söyüncü, but referee Lee Mason didn’t see a foul and neither did VAR after a long delay.
This breather seemed to work in City’s favour and they had more of the ball. Tielemans had a shot blocked, and City won a couple of free-kicks both of which came to nought. But then a defensive error sent Vardy in on goal, his low shot being blocked by  Caballero’s leg.

A Pedro cross from the right then sailed towards the bar forcing Schmeichel to guide it over, but City were soon on the attack again.
Chilwell cut a ball back for Barnes on the edge of the area but, leaning back, he sent his shot way over the bar.
As play raced from one end to another, Söyüncü won a battle to a bouncing ball with Abraham but caught him on the back as he cleared. Lee Mason again waved play on.
From a City corner the ball reached Chilwell at the far post and he hooked a volley narrowly over the bar.
The end-to-end stuff continued as half-time loomed. Hudson-Odoi set up Mount 12 yards out but his shot was blocked by Evans, and then Mount and Abraham combined to tee up Hudson-Odoi but he fell over while shooting and sent his effort over the bar.
City then looked to have broken through seconds before the break, but Vardy couldn’t find the right ball for Pérez, and all they got was a corner which Choudhury headed narrowly wide at the far post.

After so many near misses, we didn’t have long to wait for a goal when the teams reemerged for the second half. Mount delivered a corner from the left and Rüdiger rose above Choudhury to nod in at the far post. All too easy.
But City were stung into action and after a good attacking spell they drew level in the 54th minute. Tielemans threaded a ball through to Barnes who cut in from the left and then fired off a shot that took a wicked deflection that sent it spiralling over Caballero and into the net.

City had their tails up now, and took the lead ten minutes later.
Chilwell played a one-two with Barnes down the left and then burst into the penalty area, but over-hit his cross. Cabellero left his goal to run after it, but Ricardo got there first and cut back to Tielemans, who picked out Chilwell at the far post for a neat finish with the Chelsea keeper still returning to his position.

City pressed forward looking to seal the points and Caballero did well to save a fierce Tielemans shot, but the visitors equalised in familiar fashion in the 71st minute.
Mount hoisted a free-kick into the area and Rüdiger, this time towering above Chilwell, sent a looping header over Schmeichel and under the bar.
City were the better side at this stage and pressed on looking to regain the lead.
Pérez was tripped by Kovacic 25 yards out, but Maddison’s free-kick struck the wall. From Maddison’s resulting corner-kick Evans rose unmarked but somehow sent his header well wide from six yards.
Another golden opportunity was wasted with ten minutes remaining. Pérez sent Vardy haring down the right and his cross for Barnes in the middle was perfect, but Barnes pushed it agonisingly wide of the far post from 12 yards.
Brendan Rodgers made a double change for the last ten minutes, with Iheanacho on for Vardy and Praet replacing Tielemans.
But the game had slowed down now, with neither side too willing to risk the point they had.
There was one more chance for City deep into time-added-on. Barnes charged down the left and sent a dangerous looking cross into he area. It passed behind Rüdiger, who had his hands behind his back and appeared to deliberately flick a hand out to divert the ball away. Lee Mason didn’t point to the spot, and the all-seeing but rather dim VAR saw nothing wrong.

A 2-2 draw was probably a fair result on the day, and took City a point closer to a prized Champions League place.
Brendan Rodgers commented: “These players are still learning and still young and there’s elements we will be better in going forward. It was a great fight today – we worked our way into the game with some real moments of quality and eventually played very well. It’s been a long period from December. We’ll go away, come back and get back to being consistent.”

Leicester: Schmeichel, Ricardo, Evans, Söyüncü, Chilwell, Choudhury, Pérez, Tielemans (Praet 80), Maddison, Barnes, Vardy (Iheanacho 80).
Substitutes: Justin, Gray, Albrighton, Ward, Fuchs.
Chelsea: Caballero, James, Christensen, Rüdiger, Azpilicueta, Kanté, Jorginho (Kovacic 74), Hudson-Odoi, Mount, Pedro (Willian 74), Abraham (Barkley 83).
Substitutes: Arrizabalaga, Alonso, Batshuayi, Tomori.

Referee: Lee Mason. Attendance: 32,186.

PHOTOS: Simon Kimber.

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Late winner for Villa denies Leicester a Wembley trip

Aston Villa 2:1 Leicester City

A stoppage time winner for Villa saw City exit the League Cup at the semi-final stage at Villa Park on Tuesday night…

Brendan Rodgers fielded his favoured starting XI, but for Jamie Vardy, who was given a place on the bench on his return from injury.
City hit the ground running and created several chances in the opening ten minutes.
In the 3rd minute Iheanacho won a tussle with Mings in the area, but his shot from a tight angle was blocked by Nyland at the near post.
Two minutes later Iheanacho fed a ball to Maddison in the area and he side-stepped Mings before shooting for the bottom right hand corner, but Nyland got down superbly to push it round the post at full stretch.
In the 7th minute Maddison had a crack from the edge of the area but it went inches wide of the right hand post.
City were in total command at this stage and Maddison saw another long-range effort tipped round the post by the Norwegian keeper.
With City fans wondering how they weren’t in the lead, Villa went ahead in the 12th minute. Villa broke upfield and Grealish held the ball up before back-heeling to the overlapping Targett who crashed a half-volley past a hesitant Schmeichel.
This appeared to knock City on the chin and Villa were now the better side. El Ghazi sent a 30 yard free-kick inches over the bar and Ndidi blocked a Grealish shot.
Samatta then netted for Villa but the celebrations were halted by an offside flag.
When City did create a chance Nyland denied them again. Tielemans played a one-two with Maddison before thumping a shot towards the top corner, but Nyland finger-tipped it onto the bar for another magnificent save. Maddison followed up for shot that clearly struck Nakamba’s outstretched arm, but VAR ruled no penalty.
At the other end Grealish and Targett combined well again before Targett delivered a hard and low cross that got caught under Samatta’s feet.
City regained control of the game towards the end of the half, but Villa were dangerous on the break and Söyüncü had to head an El Ghazi cross over his own bar.

City attempted to take the game to Villa early in the second half but couldn’t find a way through. And then Villa carved out a couple of chances, Grealish making space for himself in a crowded area before dragging a shot wide and Targett sending a 20 yard shot off-target.
Brendan Rodgers made his first change in the 56th minute, bringing on Vardy for Pérez.
Villa were trying to disrupt City’s rhythm and both Konsa and Douglas Luiz were booked for kicking the ball away at free-kicks.
A good passing move from City then presented Iheanacho with a chance but his curling shot went straight at Nyland.
Villa should have doubled their lead in the 64th minute when Grealish curled a wicked ball into the six yard box, but Samatta couldn’t apply the finishing touch from two yards out. Konsa then got his head to a Targett corner, but sent his effort over the bar.
But the tie was levelled in the 72nd minute. Barnes raced past Guilbert down the left and fired a low ball across the goalmouth, where Iheanacho had timed his run to meet it at the far post, having to adjust his stride to improvise a clever finish.
City were in search of a winner now but Iheanacho couldn’t convert a Vardy cross, Maddison following up to send the loose ball over the bar.
With four minutes remaining and a penalty shoot-out looming, Rodgers brought Gray on for Barnes.
In the 89th minute a Maddison corner was met by Evans and was deflected inches wide of the post by Konsa.
Four minutes of time-added-on stood between these two teams and a penalty shoot-out, but that didn’t prove to be necessary. Two minutes in, El Mohamady curled a ball towards the far post where Trézéguet met it with a composed side-footed volley to send Villa Park into raptures.
City desperately pressed forward trying to rescue the situation, and Schmeichel went up for a late corner. It was cleared as far as Ricardo who fired his shot over the bar.
With seconds remaining Maddison was fouled for a free-kick 30 yards out. His effort struck the wall, Mike Dean blew his whistle and Villa fans flooded onto the pitch.
The match stats indicated that City had been the better side in both games, but Villa had found a way to win.

Brendan Rodgers, losing a cup match for the first time in five years, summed up:
“I thought we were excellent. Their goalkeeper made some outstanding saves. We had a nice control in the game. I thought we should have had a definite handball for a penalty. By the end of the game I thought only one team looked like they were going to win it.It’s tough to take looking back over the two games, but congratulations to Aston Villa and we have to move on.”

Aston Villa: Nyland, Konsa, Mings, Hause, Guilbert (El Mohamady 84), Douglas Luiz, Nakamba, Targett, El Ghazi (Trézéguet 77), Samatta (Davis 67), Grealish.
Substitutes: Chester, Lansbury, Hourihane, Sarkic.
Leicester: Schmeichel, Söyüncü, Evans, Chilwell, Ricardo, Tielemans, Ndidi, Barnes (Gray 86), Pérez (Vardy 56), Maddison, Iheanacho.
Substitutes: Justin, Albrighton, Ward, Benkovic, Praet.

Referee: Mike Dean. Attendance: 39,300.

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Early Iheanacho goal sees Leicester hurdle Brentford into the 5th round

Brentford 0:1 Leicester City

A third minute goal from Kelechi Iheanacho was enough to win this cup tie, but Brentford pushed City all the way at Griffin Park on Saturday…

This was an emotional afternoon in west London with Brentford set to leave their home of 116 years for a new stadium a mile upstream of the Thames, and it turned out to be Griffin Park’s final FA Cup tie.
But sentimentality made way for practicality with both managers making wholesale changes to their sides, Brentford facing a crunch promotion clash with Forest on the same night that City travel to Villa with a League Cup final place at stake.
While City didn’t have to face the Bees’ prolific B-M-W forward line, only Söyüncü and Pérez retained their places.
The watching nation on BBC1 may have feared that Brentford’s second string might be overwhelmed early on. After just twenty seconds a clearance ricocheted to Iheanacho who sent Pérez in on goal. He rounded Daniels but a last ditch challenge from Racic denied him the opening goal.
That came in the fourth minute. A stunning, match-winning fifty yard ball from Praet found Justin down the right and his cross was met at the far post with a composed half-volley from Iheanacho.
City continued to press hard, forcing Brentford into errors. Praet had a shot blocked by Jeanvier and then Gray wasted a free-kick from a good position, firing a shot into the side-netting.
But after a spell in which City looked likely to make it 2-0, Brentford got their act together and carved out a chance. Roerslev beat Fuchs down the right and his cross reached Marcondes, whose shot missed the post by inches and found the side-netting.
The Bees threatened again in the 20th minute when a smart turn and side-step from Dervisoglu gave him room for a shot, but he curled it wide.
It was a more even game now. Albrighton strode forward and fired a low shot narrowly wide of the far post, while Thompson did the same at the other end.
Iheanacho then played Pérez in with a lovely ball but Daniels did well to get a glove to his shot from close range. Albrighton, following up, headed the loose ball over the bar.
Just before half-time Marcondes sent a dipping shot over the bar, and after a shaky start Brentford were still very much in the game.

And it was the home side who took the game to City in the second half.
Dasilva flashed a ball across the goalmouth but no one was on hand to take advantage, and then a dangerous free-kick launched into the area came to nought when Racic fouled Ward.
Then Brentford got too close for comfort in the 62nd minute. Marcondes swung a low ball across goal and it evaded everyone in the area before hitting the right hand post. Fuchs calmly mopped it up before Valencia could pounce.
Brendan Rodgers made his first change in the 68th minute, handing Dewsbury-Hall his debut in place of Iheanacho.
After a spell in which City looked very blunt going forward Rodgers made another change, replacing Gray with Maddison.
With the clock ticking down Brentford would create one more golden chance and it arrived in the 83rd minute. Fuchs ducked under a Marcondes cross to allow it out for a goal kick but Chris Kavanagh pointed to the corner. There was a sense of dread at the injustice as Marcondes’ corner was met on the volley by Racic, but Ward athletically clawed it out from under the bar.
City soaked up some late pressure as the home side began to tire, and they had done just enough to make it into the fifth round draw.  If this was Brentford’s reserves then surely they are in with a good shout for promotion.

Brendan Rodgers, now 32 cup games unbeaten, summed up: “I thought the first 25 minutes we were very good, but we were then loose in our passing. We didn’t have enough precision, with which we could have scored more goals, and then obviously we let Brentford back into the game a little bit more. The attitude in the game was brilliant and we finished with off with good save in the end by Danny Ward. So it was a good win for us and gets us into the next round.”

Brentford: Daniels, Rasmussen, Jeanvier, Racic, Thompson (Henry 77), Yearwood, Mokotjo (Dasilva 45), Marcondes, Valencia, Mbeumo 82), Dervisoglu, Zamburek.
Substitutes: Pinnock, Nørgaard, Gunnarsson, Hammar.
Leicester: Ward, Justin, Morgan, Söyüncü, Fuchs, Choudhury, Praet, Gray (Maddison 78), Pérez, Albrighton, Iheanacho (Dewsbury-Hall 68). 
Substitutes: Schmeichel, Evans, Tielemans, Barnes, Ricardo.

Referee: Chris Kavanagh. Attendance: 12,221.

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Leicester back on track with a 4-1 win against West Ham

Leicester City 4:1 West Ham United

Despite losing Vardy and Mendy to injury in the first half, City produced a fine display to thrash West Ham at the KPS on Wednesday evening…

Brendan Rodgers made two changes to his side with Chilwell and Tielemans in for Fuchs and Praet and they immediately looked better than in recent showings with West Ham barely able to get over the halfway line in the first ten minutes.
City had an early chance when Barnes and Vardy combined well in the area but Vardy had to dig his chance out from under his feet and sent his shot straight at Randolph.
West Ham, on 16% possession, had their first chance in the 15th minute when Schmeichel flapped at a corner but Cresswell sent his header over the bar.
City’s managed to make their dominance pay in the 24th minute. Barnes played Ricardo in on the right and his low cross-cum-shot was diverted home by Barnes from a yard out. There were subdued celebrations with the players looking at the linesman but, after a wait, VAR gave us permission to jump up and down. But the moment was gone.
In the 33rd minute Mendy went down with a knee injury and Rodgers had to bring Ndidi into action a little earlier than planned. Just two weeks after knee surgery he was roared onto the field.
West Ham still seemed reluctant to go forward and City passed around them without creating any chances.
Rodgers then had to make a second change two minutes before the break. After a vigorous clearance Vardy went down clutching the back of his thigh and a hush descended on the ground. After trying to carry on he had to admit defeat and was replaced by Iheanacho.
Any concerns where City’s goals would come from now were answered in the third minute of injury time. Barnes cut in from the left and threaded a perfect ball through a crowded area for Ricardo to blast home from 15 yards.

With Antonio and Fornals on for the second half, West Ham looked more like it, and Antonio muscled his way through the defence but sliced a shot wide seconds after the restart.
Then they were given a way back into the game with a penalty in the 47th minute, Ndidi needlessly making contact with Haller as he was making his way out of the area. Schmeichel was booked for protesting and was then beaten from the spot by Noble.
West Ham were back in the game now and a goalmouth scramble saw a back-heel from Antonio blocked by Schmeichel.
A couple of corners then led to Ogbonna heading over from a good position.
But City regained control of the game after a good spell for the visitors. Ricardo set up Pérez for a shot that was beaten away by Randolph. Then Maddison sent a dipping 25-yarder towards the top right hand corner but Randolph denied him with a fine save.
Although West Ham were threatening on the break, City went further ahead in the 81st minute. The lively Iheanacho burst into the area and Ogbonna brought him down as he bore down on goal. Pérez emphatically crashed the spot kick home in a manner that suggested he should get the job full time.
West Ham looked beaten now and Chilwell connected beautifully with a shot forcing another good block from Randolph.
But the West Ham keeper could do nothing about City fourth goal two minutes from time. Pérez played a one-two with Iheanacho in the area before sending a precise shot into the far corner.

Although West Ham had been poor for an hour of this game it felt like Leicester were back and Rodgers was delighted: “I think that the tempo in the team tonight was very, very good. Against Burnley we started to come back a bit but tonight we were outstanding. Dynamic. We were fast in our game, the passing was quick, we looked to dominate the ball and play with that authority. That’s how we’ve been for most of the season, with that personality.”

The news regarding Jamie Vardy was also good, with his injury not thought to be a hamstring issue.
City’s Premier League position was looking good, now for the cups…

Leicester: Schmeichel, Ricardo, Evans, Söyüncü, Chilwell, Mendy (Ndidi 34), Pérez, Tielemans, Maddison, Barnes (Morgan 83), Vardy (Iheanacho 43).
Substitutes: Justin, Gray, Albrighton, Ward.
West Ham: Randolph, Zabaleta, Diop, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Masuaku (Antonio 45), Snodgrass (Fornals 45), Rice, Noble, Lanzini, Haller.
Substitutes: Reid, Balbuena, Sánchez, Martin, Ajeti.

Referee: David Coote. Attendance: 31,968.

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Leicester defeated at Turf Moor after Vardy penalty miss

Burnley 2:1 Leicester City

Having gone ahead City saw the points slip away at Burnley on Sunday, with Jamie Vardy missing a penalty…

Brendan Rodgers made two changes for this Sunday trip to Turf Moor, with Fuchs and Mendy in for Chilwell and Choudhury. Whether this was simply more squad rotation with the West Ham game on Wednesday, or there was more to it was hinted at in the post-match comments.
City started the game on the front foot and Barnes had a shot on target in the first minute, but it didn’t trouble Pope.
City got in behind the Clarets defence a couple of times but the crosses were blocked, then Vardy got in down the right and squared for Maddison, but he opted to take a touch instead of shooting and the chance was gone.
Pérez then had a goal-bound shot blocked by Tarkowski’s head.
Burnley were defending deep, spiking City’s attacks, but creating very little up front. They looked most dangerous from a couple of corners but Evans dealt with one and Schmeichel was fouled for another.
The game had settled into something of a stalemate when City took a 33rd minute lead.
Praet robbed Cork in the centre circle, taking a bit of ankle as well as the ball, but Anthony Taylor waved play on. Barnes latched onto the loose ball and raced forward, Vardy breaking to the left to take a defender away. Barnes accelerated past Mee and fired a shot home via Pope’s foot. VAR had a look at Praet’s challenge and the goal stood.
City kept possession well leading up to half time and Burnley only threatened from a set-piece that saw a bit of pinball in the area. And the visitors could have gone down the tunnel 2-0 when Maddison whipped a free-kick into the area and Pérez nodded it narrowly over the bar.

City went close again three minutes into the second half when a passing move through Burnley’s defence led to Praet curling a low shot towards the far post, but Pope got down well to tip it away.
At the other end Wood got his head to a Taylor cross but cleared the bar.
It was a more open game now and Maddison attempted a 30 yard effort that flew a couple of yards wide.
But Burnley struck back in the 55th minute. A weak challenge from Pérez led to a corner for the home side. McNeil delivered a corner to the far post where Mee rose highest to nod it down. Schmeichel couldn’t get much contact with it and Wood was in the right place to bundle it home from two yards out.
After four defeats Turf Moor had been very quiet, but the goal turned the volume up as they sensed the chance of a win.
Barnes and Maddison both fired shots straight at Pope, before City were presented with a 67th minute penalty. A smart turn and pass by Vardy sent Barnes in down the left and he was wrestled to the ground by Mee for an obvious spot-kick. But Vardy’s penalty lacked the usual venom and Pope guessed right, making an excellent save. Ricardo fired the loose ball across goal but Barnes couldn’t quite reach it at the far post.
This encouraged the home crowd further.
Rodger made a double change in the 74th minute bringing Iheanacho and Tielemans on for Pérez and Praet.
Maddison had a shot blocked by Mee, who leant over to block with his elbow, for what looked like a blatant penalty but nothing was given.
Iheanacho then sent Vardy through on goal, but Pope blocked his shot with a shoulder.
But it was Burnley who took a 79th minute lead. Taylor whipped in a cross from the left, and an off-balance Evans could only divert the ball towards an unmarked Westwood who lashed the ball home from ten yards.
City pressed forward for the last ten minutes, but couldn’t find a way through a packed Burnley defence. A frustrated Söyüncü lashed a long range effort way over and Evans headed over from a corner, but it was a back-to-back defeats for City.

Brendan Rodgers hinted at the reasons for the absence of Chilwell and Choudhury from the side post-match: “They were just unavailable for the training. We were doing a lot of preparation for this game, they were unable to be there, so we now move on. I had to go with the players that we trusted to come here and get the result. It’s a personal one, that.”
Which raised more questions than answers.

Burnley: Pope, Bardsley, Tarkowski, Mee, Taylor, Hendrick, Westwood, Cork, McNeil, Wood (Lennon 90), Rodriguez.
Substitutes: Lowton, Brady, Hart, Pieters, Vydra, Long.
Leicester: Schmeichel, Ricardo, Evans, Söyüncü, Fuchs, Mendy, Pérez (Iheanacho 74), Praet (Tielemans 74), Maddison, Barnes, Vardy.
Substitutes: Justin, Morgan, Gray, Albrighton, Ward.

Referee: Anthony Taylor. Attendance: 19,788.

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